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Greg McElroy Has Blunt Message for Jeremiah Smith Amid Heisman Buzz

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Aug 1, 2025 12:41 PM ET

Ohio State Buckeyes star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith lit up the 2024 college football season as a standout freshman. With 76 receptions, 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in 16 games, Smith shattered FBS freshman receiving records and became a key force behind Ohio State’s national championship run.

Now a sophomore, Smith is one of the favorites in early Heisman Trophy odds despite quarterbacks having dominated the award recently, winning 20 times since 2000.

On his podcast "McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning," former college quarterback and analyst Greg McElroy offered a frank assessment of Smith’s chances to compete for the Heisman hardware.

He acknowledged Smith can be in the mix but emphasized that, as a non-quarterback, Smith will need historic numbers to get there.

How Difficult Will it be for Jeremiah Smith to Win a Heisman with a New QB

McElroy explained that the Heisman is often influenced by storylines and passing stats, especially for quarterbacks.

“In order to declare a single front-runner, you have to understand how the Heisman works," McElroy said. "It’s a popularity contest. So yes, the single front-runner is Arch Manning.” That sets a steep bar.

He went on to remind fans of the Colorado Buffaloes' Travis Hunter, a non‑quarterback who won in 2024 after dominating headlines.

McElroy compared: “Jeremiah Smith will have to put up massive numbers. … It’s going to have to be about yards and touchdowns.”

To approximate what would be necessary, consider the heights reached by Alabama's DeVonta Smith during his Heisman season in 2020. He logged 117 receptions, 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns in 13 games. Therefore, Smith must elevate his production even further.

This season comes with an overhauled Buckeyes offensive lineup and a new quarterback under center, making Smith's challenges even greater.

What Must Jeremiah Smith Achieve to Match Historic Heisman Seasons

To meet McElroy’s criteria, Smith will need every bit of red-zone efficiency, big-game production and highlight plays. Here's what it might take:

Meeting DeVonta Smith's statistical benchmarks from the 2020 season
Consistent production despite a new quarterback and offensive coordinator
High volume of receptions and targets in each game
Extra scores in big moments to stand out nationally
Media narrative and contention for multiple awards to support Heisman candidacy

Even though Smith is among the top options in DraftKings' early Heisman odds at +1100, he is a step below the game's best quarterbacks like LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Texas' Arch Manning and Clemson's Cade Klubnik, which reflects the inherent preference for signal-callers in the voting.

Smith's path to Heisman glory requires him to perform at an elite level across every meaningful matchup. He has the 2025 stage to prove that a wide receiver can still capture the attention usually reserved for quarterbacks.

Ohio State will rely on Smith’s ability to command targets, score consistently and drive headlines if he hopes to cement legitimate contender status in one of college football’s toughest award races.

The Buckeyes open the season with a marquee matchup at home against the Texas Longhorns at noon ET Aug. 30 on Fox.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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